Self-energizing burglar alarm

ABSTRACT

A self-energizing alarm, particularly suitable as a burglar alarm, consisting of an elongated flexible bellows having attachment means at each end, and an audible signal-producing reed communicating with the interior of the bellows. The opposite ends of the alarm are connected to window, door structure, or the like, having relative movable components whereby movement of these components produces extension of the bellows and an audible signal. In an embodiment of the invention the bellows are preformed to intermittently operate with a snap action to produce an intermittent signal.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Henry H. Merriman 751 W. Washington, Jackson, Mich. 49201 [21] Appl. No. 875,874 [22] Filed Nov. 12, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 9, 1971 [54] SELF-ENERGIZING BURGLAR ALARM 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 116/86, 92/5, 116/67, 292/305 [51] Int. Cl 60% 13/08 [50] Field 01 Search 116/65, 67, 112,139, 75, 85, 86, 98, 100; 84/375, 330, 376; 292/305; 92/3, 5, 34, 35; 29/454 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,433 2/1897 DeLamarre 116/139 677,113 6/1901 116/139UX 706,878 8/1902 116/139 1,367,651 2/1921 116/86 1,749,434 3/1930 Lee 116/139 1,870,904 8/1932 Giesler 29/454 X 1,886,803 1l/1932 Giesler 29/34 2,115,419 4/1938 Dreyer 29/454 2,365,181 12/1944 Fentress 29/454 UX 2,603,120 7/1952 R0sehheim.. 84/376 2,777,607 l/l957 Bellandi 116/67 X 3,102,509 9/1963 Freimann et al... 116/139 X 3,136,290 6/1964 Bailey et a1. 116/67 Primary ExaminerLouis J. Capozi Attorney-Beaman & Beaman SELF-ENERGIZIN G BURGLAR ALARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to the field of burglar alarms and the like wherein the movement of a window or door varies the volume within a chamber to cause a movement of air which actuates an audible signal.

Protection of the person and property by means of various types of burglar and thiefproof alarms is a major concern, and many devices have been developed to discourage tampering with doors and windows, and for indicating the unauthorized operation thereof. Most burglar alarm devices are of a rather complicated nature usually utilizing electricity and requiring switches, sensors and controls interconnected by complex wiring and installation procedures. While this type of alarm system is relatively effective, its cost and troublesome installation precludes widespread use in nonindustrial and domestic applications, and the homeowner does not have available to him an inexpensive burglar alarm system which is both effective and maintenance free.

Domestic alann systems are available for use with windows and doors which cause an alarm to be energized, such as a bell, when unauthorized entry is attempted. Such alarms are often battery operated, requiring periodic attention and battery replacement. Additionally, such alarms are easily accidentally tripped, which in the case of a battery operated device may significantly shorten the battery life and is also annoying. Additionally, belland buzzer-type alarms are quickly recognized by the intruder as an alarm, and if the triggering of the alarm does not produce an immediate response within the dwelling the burglar will assume that the dwelling is unoccupied and will proceed with the entry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a self-energizing alarm suitable as a burglar alarm, which is of an inexpensive manufacture, can be readily installed by a homeowner without special skills or tools, which requires no maintenance and produces an audible signal upon energization which will serve both as a warning to occupants within the dwelling and which simulates a baby's cry or noise, and thus give the intruder the impression that the room being entered is occupied.

An additional purpose of the invention is to provide a burglar alarm which uses the movement of air entering a bellows to produce an audible signal, and does not require such physical effort to produce energization as to be noticeable to the intruder, and indicate that an alarm is being energized.

The alarm of the invention includes an elongated bellows preferably formed of a flexible resilient material having attachment means located at each end thereof. The attachment means permits the bellows to be connected at one end to the movable portion of a window or door, for instance, and the other end is connected to a fixed portion of the window or door. Thus, upon the raising of a window, or the opening of a door, the bellows is extended and the resultant increase of the volume within the bellows chamber causes air to flow into the bellows through a flexible reed. The fiow of air causes the reed to vibrate producing an audible signal.

The nature of the signal produced by the alarm can be readily predetermined by the physical dimensions of the reed and reed block, and preferably, the reed produces a signal which simulates the cry or noise or disturbance an infant may make, and thus produce the impression that the room being entered is occupied.

The forming of the bellows of a resilient flexible material, such as rubber, neoprene, or the like, permits the bellows to be economically manufactured and be of a durable long-lasting construction. Additionally, this type of construction permits the alarm to be used with a wide variety of windows, doors or other installations wherein use of the alarm is appropriate.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the bellows is formed with a predetermined configuration such that at least one of the wall portions of each bellow segment is of a conical configuration which causes the bellows to extend in an intermittent manner due to the snap action" of the deflecting of the conical bellows walls. This intermittent expansion of the bellows assures a sufficient flow of air into the bellows to actuate the signal-producing reed under all conditions of bellows expansion, and also causes the signal to be intermittent in operation further simulating the cry of an infant.

The alarm of the invention is of a compact size and configuration as to be readily portable, and may be used with hotel room doors and windows for temporary installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a self-energizing alarm constructed in accord with the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, diametrical, detail, elevational, sectional view of one end of the alarm illustrating the plug in which the signal-producing reed is mounted,

FIG. 3 is a diametrical, elevational, sectional view taken through the bellows portion of the alarm,

FIG. 4 is a diametrical, elevational, sectional view taken through the closed end of the bellows illustrating the formed eye,

FIG. 5 is an end view of the alarm as taken from the left of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 6 illustrates a typical installation of an alarm in accord with the invention,

FIG. 7 is a diametrical, elevational, sectional, detail view of the bellows portion of another embodiment of the alarm wherein the bellows walls are preformed of a conical configuration, and

FIG. 8 is a detail, enlarged, elevational view of a bellows constructed in accord with the embodiment of FIG. 7, illustrating two of the bellows in an expanded condition, while the adjacent bellows are in the normal unexpanded condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The overall configuration of an alarm constructed in accord with the concepts of the invention will be appreciated from FIG. 1. Basically, the alarm consists of an elongated bellows 10 formed of a flexible, resilient material such as rubber, neoprene or the equivalent. The material must be readily flexible, when in the bellows configuration, without offering undue resistance to expansion within the operating range desired, yet must have sufficient resistance to collapsing to cause air to enter the bellows chamber during extension.

The bellows is defined by a plurality of disklike portions 12, each disklike portion having a minimum diameter at 14, FIG. 3, and a maximum diameter at 16. Wall portions 18 interconnect the minimum and maximum dimensions of the portions 12 and neck portions 20 interconnect the adjacent wall portions 18. During extension of the bellows 10, the deformation occurs within all of the components defining a common portion 12 to increase the volume within the bellows. In the illustrated embodiment the disklike portions 12 are of the same radial dimension, although it will be appreciated that the diameters of these portions could vary.

One end of the bellows 10 is closed by an eye member 22 molded at the time of forming of the bellows, and of the same material thereof. In the formation of the eye 24 that portion surrounding the eye will have sufficient material and strength to permit an attachment cord 26 to be afiixed thereto facilitating anchoring of this end of the bellows.

The left end of the bellows 10, FIG. 1. receives a plug 28, FIG. 2, which may be of wood, plastic or metal and serves to seal the open end of the bellows, provides the support means for the audible signal producing the apparatus, and also serves as the support for a plastic-covered attachment D-ring 30. The plug 28 is preferably of a cylindrical configuration and of a diameter which permits the cylindrical portion 32 of the bellows to closely encompass the plug to form an airtight connection with the periphery thereof. A passage 34 extends axially through the plug communicating with the atmosphere surrounding the bellows, and also communicating with the bellows interior. A reed sound-producing device is located within the passage 34 and includes a flexible vibrating reed 36 disposed adjacent its reed block 38. The reed 36 and the block 33 are so oriented that air drawn into the bellows passage which moves from the left to the right, FIG. 2, causes the reed to vibrate upon the block and produce the audible signal.

The D-ring 30 includes stub ends 40 received within holes 42 defined in the bellows and the plug such that the D-ring is pivotally mounted upon the end of the bellows.

In use, the alarm is mounted such that one end thereof is attached to a movable component of the window, door or other structure with which the alarm is to be associated. The other end of the alarm is anchored to a fixed point wherein movement of the window, door, etc., causes the bellows to extend in the longitudinal direction, draw air into the passage 34 and actuate the reed 36 producing an audible signal.

In FIG. 6 a typical installation is disclosed wherein the window 44 includes upper and lower portions 46 and 48 respectively, which may be moved in a vertical direction. The lower window portion 48 is provided with a hook, nail or similar attachment at 50 to which the upper end of the bellows is affixed either directly by the eye 22 or by the cord 26 which may be threaded through the eye. A small anchor 52, such as an L- eye or the like, is affixed to the sill 54 of the window and fastens through the D-ring 30 of the bellows, or may be attached to the bellows through a cord associated with the D- ring. The spacing between the members 50 and 52 associated with the ends of the alarm are such that the bellows will be stretched sufficiently to maintain a linear configuration, yet the bellows will not be significantly deformed from their normal closed" condition. Thus, upon the window portion 48 being raised, the bellows 10 is extended drawing air into the bellows and producing the audible signal.

As the alarm is mounted on the inside of the window, and is therefore not readily apparent from the outside of the dwelling, its presence will not be detected by an intruder, and as the signal produced by the alarm preferably simulates a child's cry, the assumption by the intruder that the noise he has heard indicates his disturbing a child within the room would discourage most intruders from entering the room,

Due to the flexible nature of the bellows, the bellows does not adversely affect normal operation of the window and it may be raised and lowered by the occupant as desired without disconnecting the alarm therefrom.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose a variation in the bellows construction of an alarm constructed in accord with the invention. In this embodiment the bellows is preformed during curing of the material such that the wall portions 56 of each disklike portion 58 are disposed in a direction causing them to have a conical configuration. It will be appreciated that both wall portions 56 of each portion 58 are of this conical configuration, although it would be possible to produce the desired result if only one of the walls 56 of each portion 58 was ofa conical form.

The conical configuration of the wall portions 56 causes the wall portions to oil can as longitudinal extension forces are imposed upon the bellows. This oil canning" of the bellows walls provides a snap action during each movement of the wall portions and thereby causes bursts of air to flow into the passage 34 of the plug to actuate the reed 36 regardless of how slow an expansion of the bellows takes place in the longitudinal direction. It has been found that a bellows constructed in accord with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 sequentially expands a single wall portion by "oil canning" at a time, and FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship to the portions 58 upon two of the portion walls 56' having expanded, while the adjacent wall portions are still in the normal condition.

The normal condition of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is illustrated in FIG. 7, and a bellows constructed in this manner has a very concise appearance and size, yet is capable of an extensive longitudinal extension within its operating limits.

The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 produces an intermittent extension and this intermittent movement of the bellows is easily accomplished and does not produce forces which adversely affect its use as a burglar alarm. This embodiment is of advantage in that in addition to assuring sufficient air to operate the reed regardless of the velocity at which the bellows is extended, it also pennits an intermittent sound signal to be produced which very closely simulates the cry or sounds of disturbance of an infant.

As stated above the burglar alarm in accord with the invention produces a sound which, in addition to being capable of being heard by the occupant of a dwelling being burglarized, it also produces a sound which is likely to be interpreted as indicating occupancy of the room attempting to be entered. This latter fact is more likely to discourage entering than a burglar alarm system wherein the conventional bell or buzzer is energized, in that the intruder knows that if the bell or buzzer does not bring immediate attention that the house is probably not occupied and the alarm is not effective to discourage entry.

The alarm in accord with the invention may be economically produced, and as only the installation of small brackets or anchors is required to assemble the alarm to a window, the average homeowner can utilize the alarm with all of the windows of his house with the exercise of little skill and investment. If the alarm is to be used with a door, one end of the alarm is tied to the door handle, or the movable part of a door, and the other end of the alarm affixed to an anchored portion adjacent the door. Thus, if the door is opened an audible alarm will be produced which will discourage entry and also indicate the movement of the door to the occupant.

Iclaim:

l. A self-energizing alarm for indicating relative movement between first and second members comprising, in combination, an elongated tubular bellows expandable in a longitudinal direction and having first and second ends, attachment means defined upon each of said ends for attaching said ends to said members between which relative movement is to be sensed, said bellows being formed of a flexible, resilient, material and including a plurality of axially spaced enlarged circular disklike portions each having radial walls interconnected at their maximum diametrical dimension, and adjacent portions being interconnected at the minimum diametrical dimension thereof by neck portions, and air-operated audible signal means located in one of said ends communicating with the interior of said bellows whereby upon said attachment means being connected to first and second relatively movable members movement of said members to expand said bellows produces an audible signal.

2. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim I wherein said disklike portions each include a pair of radical wall portions interconnecting the maximum and minimum dimensions of said disklike portions, at least one of said radial wall portions of each disklike portion being formed of a conical configuration whereby longitudinal extension of said bellows causes said conical configuration radial wall portions to successively deflect in the direction of longitudinal extension with a snap action to intermittently draw air into said bellows as it is expanded.

3. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim 1 wherein said bellows is formed of a resilient, flexible material, said bellows radial walls being preformed to intermittently sequentially expand and contract in a longitudinal direction to produce an intermittent flow of air through said signal means and provide an intermittent signal.

4. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim I, a plug within said bellows first end sealing the same, a passage defined in said plug communicating with the interior of said bellows, said signal means comprising a flexible reed mounted within said passage adapted to vibrate upon air being drawn into said passage during extension of said bellows, said attachment means defined on said first end being affixed to said plug.

5. In a self-energizing a!arm as in claim 1 wherein said bellows second end comprises an eye defined from said flexible, resilient material sealing said second end and defining attachment means for said second end. 

1. A self-energizing alarm for indicating relative movement between first and second members comprising, in combination, an elongated tubular bellows expandable in a longitudinal direction and having first and second ends, attachment means defined upon each of said ends fOr attaching said ends to said members between which relative movement is to be sensed, said bellows being formed of a flexible, resilient, material and including a plurality of axially spaced enlarged circular disklike portions each having radial walls interconnected at their maximum diametrical dimension, and adjacent portions being interconnected at the minimum diametrical dimension thereof by neck portions, and air-operated audible signal means located in one of said ends communicating with the interior of said bellows whereby upon said attachment means being connected to first and second relatively movable members movement of said members to expand said bellows produces an audible signal.
 2. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim 1 wherein said disklike portions each include a pair of radical wall portions interconnecting the maximum and minimum dimensions of said disklike portions, at least one of said radial wall portions of each disklike portion being formed of a conical configuration whereby longitudinal extension of said bellows causes said conical configuration radial wall portions to successively deflect in the direction of longitudinal extension with a snap action to intermittently draw air into said bellows as it is expanded.
 3. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim 1 wherein said bellows is formed of a resilient, flexible material, said bellows radial walls being preformed to intermittently sequentially expand and contract in a longitudinal direction to produce an intermittent flow of air through said signal means and provide an intermittent signal.
 4. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim 1, a plug within said bellows first end sealing the same, a passage defined in said plug communicating with the interior of said bellows, said signal means comprising a flexible reed mounted within said passage adapted to vibrate upon air being drawn into said passage during extension of said bellows, said attachment means defined on said first end being affixed to said plug.
 5. In a self-energizing alarm as in claim 1 wherein said bellows second end comprises an eye defined from said flexible, resilient material sealing said second end and defining attachment means for said second end. 